Scientists Discover That Fasting Triggers

Stem Cell Regeneration & Fights Cancer

June 22, 2014 by Arjun Walia. 29 Comments.

A number of ancient health practices are proving to be effective in multiple ways. We recently
posted an article about meditation, and how neuroscience can now explain what happens to the
brain when we meditate. Now, scientists have discovered the first evidence of a natural
intervention triggering stem cell-based regeneration of an organ or system. The study was
published in the June 5 issue of Cell Stem Cell by researchers from the University of Southern
California. The research shows that cycles of prolonged fasting protect against immune system
damage and induce immune system regeneration. They concluded that fasting shifts stem cells
from a dormant state to a state of self-renewal. (1)
Human clinical trials were conducted using patients who were receiving chemotherapy. For long
periods of time, patients did not eat which significantly lowered their white blood cell counts. In
mice, fasting cycles flipped a regenerative switch, changing the signalling pathways for
hematopoietic stem cells, which are responsible for the generation of blood and immune
systems. (1)
We could not predict that prolonged fasting would have such a remarkable effect in
promoting stem cell-based regeneration of the heatopoietic system. When you starve, the

system tries to save energy, and one of the things it can do to save energy is to recycle a lot
of the immune cells that are not needed, especially those that may be damaged. What we
started noticing in both our human work and animal work is that the white blood cell count
goes down with prolonged fasting. Then when you re-feed, the blood cells come back.
- Valter Longo, corresponding author. (1)
Again, because fasting significantly lowers white blood cell counts, this triggers stem cell-based
regeneration of new immune system cells. More importantly, it reduces the PKA enzyme, which
has been linked to aging, tumour progression and cancer.(1) Its also noteworthy to mention that
fasting protected against toxicity in a pilot clinical trial where patients fasted for 72 hours prior to
chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy causes significant collateral damage to the immune system. The results of
this study suggest that fasting may mitigate some of the harmful effects
of chemotherapy. Co-Author Tanya Dorff (1)
Fasting is a tradition thats been incorporated into many ancient cultures, from Vedic to Buddhist
and more, fasting should not be confused with starvation. Its the process of restrain and control
from the sensorial experience of eating and at the same time making sure you are doing it
correctly. When I fast, I usually do water fasts and I have been doing them for almost eight years
now and I always feel great and full of energy after doing so.

More Research
1. Fasting helps protect against brain disease:
Researchers at the National Institute on Aging in Baltimore have found evidence that fasting for
one or two days a week can prevent the effects of Alzheimer and Parkinsons disease. Research
also found that cutting the daily intake to 500 calories a day for two days out of the seven can
show clear beneficial effects for the brain.
2. Fasting cuts your risk of heart disease and diabetes:
Regularly going a day without food reduces your risk of heart disease and diabetes. Studies show
that fasting releases a significant surge in human growth hormone, which is associated with
speeding up metabolism and burning off fat. Shedding fat is known to cut the risk of heart
disease and diabetes. Doctors are even starting to consider fasting as a treatment.
3. Fasting effectively treats cancer in human cells:
A study from the scientific journal of aging found that cancer patients who included fasting into
their therapy perceived fewer side effects from chemotherapy. All tests conducted so far show
that fasting improves survival, slow tumor growth and limit the spread of tumors. The National
Institute on Aging has also studied one type of breast cancer in detail to further understand the
effects of fasting on cancer. As a result of fasting, the cancer cells tried to make new proteins and
took other steps to keep growing and dividing. As a result of these steps, which in turn led to a

number of other steps, damaging free radical molecules were created which broke down the
cancer cells own DNA and caused their destruction! Its cellular suicide, the cancer cell is trying
to replace all of the stuff missing in the bloodstream that it needs to survive after a period of
fasting, but cant. In turn, it tries to create them and this leads to its own destruction
Again, make sure you do your research before trying this out. Hopefully this can kickstart you
further into looking into it if you are truly interested.
Related CE Article: Can We Eat To Starve Cancer? The Diet That Keeps Cancer Away
Sources:
(1) https://news.usc.edu/63669/fasting-triggers-stem-cell-regeneration-of-damaged-old-immunesystem/
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=new-year-new-understanding
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120208152254.htm
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1373164/Regular-fasting-lower-risk-heart-diseasediabetes.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/feb/18/fasting-protect-brain-diseases-scientists
http://www.nia.nih.gov/newsroom/announcements/2011/07/study-finds-fasting-may-help-reducenegative-side-effects